I look for coach ‘O’ and the LSU staff to go big at defensive back (DB) in 2022, taking as many six (6) DBs in the class (3-4 CBs and 2-3 safeties, if possible). Between corners and safeties, I feel safety will be tougher to fill based on the following:

Cornerbacks (CBs) – between in-state (LA) talent and plenty of OOS interest in LSU, it doesn’t appear the Tigers will have too much trouble signing a great cornerback class.

Safeties (S) – Significantly less in-state (LA) talent at the safety position than a year ago, and it doesn’t appear to be as much OOS interest as usual (perhaps b/c of the exceptional 2021 safety class)

Below are my notes accumulated on top DB targets for the recruiting class of 2022.

Denver Harris (CB, 5*, #6, Houston, TX) – On 2/21/2021, D. Harris tweeted his top-4 of LSU, Texas A&M, Bama, & UT. Texas A&M has been having some success in the Houston-area of late, and North Shore HS in particular, so they like their chances for Harris. Not surprisingly, Bama folks are cocky as usual, so they fully expect to end up signing him, as well. However, as long as Corey Raymond is doing his thing for LSU, I like our chances and whole-heartedly believe that we have a puncher’s shot with this kid.

Earl Little, Jr. (CB, 4*, #101, Fort Lauderdale, FL) – LSU is part of E. Little’s lead group, which also includes Bama, Miami & Florida. He is a Miami Hurricanes legacy but has legitimate interest in the Tigers. So much so, that many considered ‘O’ & Co. leaders of the pack early in Little’s recruitment (evidenced by 3 of 4 CBs favoring LSU).

The problem here is going to be Earl’s HS head coach, Patrick Surtain. Most will remember the recruitment of Surtain’s son, Patrick Surtain II, who signed with Bama in the 11th hour just a few years ago. While this relationship is not insurmountable, I believe most Tiger fans (myself included) have an attitude of needing to “see-it-to-believe-it” when it comes to landing this kid. I don’t see it happening.

Julian Humphrey (CB, 4*, #149, Houston, TX) – recently dropped a final-5 of LSU, Texas A&M, ASU, Penn St., & USC and also announced a commitment date of April 1, 2021 (April Fools Day). The 6’1”, 185 lb. prospect is rated a 4* (No. 149 nationally, No. 22 positional). While I believe LSU is more legitimately in the mix than Penn St. &/or USC, we already have verbal commitments from Laterrance Welch (No. 151 nationally, No. 23 positional), JaDarian Rhym (No. 159 nationally, No. 20 positional), and Marcus Scott II (No. 422 nationally, No. 63 positional) for the 2022 class. As such, my gut instinct leads me to believe that J. Humphrey will commit elsewhere.

Chris Graves (ATH, 3*, #530, Fort Myers, FL) – The 6’2”, 180-lb. athlete is rated a 3* (No. 530 nationally, No. 58 positional), and he’s being recruited as a corner back (CB) by LSU. Graves has expressed interest in LSU, and he was quoted in a recent interview as follows:

“The LSU offer means a lot because it is one of my dream schools. I knew LSU was interested, so I wasn’t too surprised when they offered, but it was a big offer for me.”

C. Graves continued by talking about being recruited by C. Raymond, and he shared that “he is a coach I like a lot”. Lastly, he referenced LSU being DBU and that LSU is “a school I am high on”.

Austin Ausberry (CB, 4*, #368, Baton Rouge, LA) – the son of executive deputy AD & former LSU linebacker, Verge Ausberry, Austin is an LSU legacy and the latest in-state (LA) prospect to receive an offer. The 6’1”, 185-lb. defensive back is a 4* prospect (No. 368 nationally, No. 34 positional) with an 87 rating by 247sports, and he became the 2nd-ranked CB out of Louisiana per the most recent rankings update (behind only Laterrance Welch). Considering that Ausberry played on the offensive side of the ball at WR his first two (2) years in HS, achieving the No. 2 corner back ranking is a testament to A. Ausberry’s raw athleticism, talent & ability.

Being the son of such an accomplished LSU linebacker and current member of the LSU administration, I feel assured that this kid will hold the P&G in high regard at all times and always give his best effort for himself, his team and LSU. I expect him to ultimately be in the Tigers 2022 class.

Jordan Allen (CB/S, 3*, #462, Lafayette, LA) – While the 3* prospect (No. 462 nationally, No. 26 positional) hasn’t yet received an LSU offer, J. Allen reports being in regular communication with Corey Raymond. When asked about the Tigers, Allen stated the following:

“I’m getting a lot of attention from LSU right now. They’re saying, ‘We’re coming to get you’ and ‘to be patient.’ It means a lot coming from them.”

Meanwhile, the offers continue to pile up for Jordan, as he has more than 30 in total. LSU insiders like the Tigers chances for landing him if they were to offer, but it doesn't look like an offer is coming anytime soon. In the meantime, Allen made it official earlier this week on Twitter that he would be announcing his verbal commitment on March 13th .

Kamari Wilson (S, 5*, #25, Bradenton, FL) – an IMG Academy kid, K. Wilson is a 5* prospect (No. 25 nationally, No. 2 positional) with offers from all the big boys. Top contenders for Wilson include Bama, Florida, Miami, LSU, & Texas. There’s a bit of smoke out there about Bama possibly having a slight lead for the, but regardless, it seems likely that this kid’s recruitment will go the distance (possibly until an All American game announcement is made). As such, I’m confident in this one still being up for grabs btwn. the top-5 programs previously mentioned.

Xavier Nwankpa (S, 4*, #72, Des Moines, IA) – the No. 1 safety per 247sports (No. 72 nationally) included LSU in his top-12 back on February 9th. At 6’2”, 190-lbs., Nwankpa is a physical safety that can close-out running lanes, as well as, lay the wood on receivers coming across the middle. He has stated on numerous occasions that LSU was his favorite school that he grew up cheering for – going as far as to drop the “dream school” line back in September 2020. X. Nwankpa is apparently familiar with the “DBU” moniker associated with the Tigers, as Tyrann Mathieu and Jamal Adams are a couple of his favorite players.

This kid is the real deal IMO, and he’s definitely atop my wishlist for filling one (1) of our safety spots in 2022. While he’ll be a tough pull from all the way up in Iowa, here’s to hoping Nwankpa turns out to be this year’s Derrick Davis, Jr.

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